ProtocolPulse

CT KUB — Renal Calculus

CT
NICE NG1182019v2.0 · March 2026
Within 24 hours
ED
All imaging requests must be justified by an IR(ME)R practitioner (radiologist or radiographer)
Open in NICE

Indications

Within 24 hours

— ANY of the following

  • Suspected renal/ureteric calculus — LOW-DOSE NON-CONTRAST CT KUB within 24 hoursNICE NG118 Rec 1.1.1
  • Do NOT use standard contrast-enhanced CT for renal colic
  • Specify 'CT KUB — low-dose non-contrast' on request card
  • CT KUB sensitivity 95–96%, specificity 98%
  • IVU SUPERSEDED — no longer recommended

Alternatives

— ANY of the following

  • Pregnant women: USS first-lineNICE NG118 Rec 1.1.2
  • Children: USS first-line
  • MR urography: alternative in pregnancy, young patients, contrast allergy

Notes

Warning

Specify 'low-dose non-contrast' on request card

Removed

IVU superseded

Information

USS first-line for pregnant women and children

Radiation Dose

CT KUB (low-dose) effective dose ~3–5 mSv

Pregnancy

USS is first-line in pregnancy. MR urography is alternative. CT KUB only if USS non-diagnostic and clinical urgency.

Paediatric

USS is first-line for children. CT KUB only if USS insufficient.

Change Log

v2.02026-03-08New standalone protocol — separated from CT abdomen/pelvis. IVU superseded confirmed.

Not clinical advice. This protocol is a reference tool only. All imaging justifications remain the clinical and legal responsibility of the authorising practitioner under IR(ME)R 2017 (as amended 2024). Protocol content should be verified against current NICE, RCR, and specialty guidelines before use in practice.

AI-assisted content. Clinical criteria were developed with AI assistance and cross-referenced against cited source guidelines. Verify against original sources. Guidelines referenced are current at the stated version date and may have been updated since.